To make parrots more receptive to training, you can start from the following aspects:
I. Choosing the right time for training
- Juvenile Period: Parrots are more receptive to training during the juvenile period. Generally speaking, parrots are in a critical period of learning within a few months after birth. At this time, their brains are developing rapidly and they are curious about new things, so it is easier for them to form good learning habits.
- Hunger: It is better to train parrots when they are a bit hungry. This is because at this time they will be more motivated to get food rewards and thus participate more actively in training. However, be careful not to overstarve the parrot as this may affect their health.
- When in a happy mood: Observe the parrot’s behaviour and mood and train them when they are happy and lively. For example, parrots are usually in a better mood after playing, basking in the sun or interacting with their owners, and training at this time will be more acceptable.
II. Building Trusting Relationships
- Daily companionship: Spend time with your parrot to familiarise them with your voice, smell and appearance. You can feed, pet, and chat with your parrot to increase your affection and build a trusting relationship.
- Be gentle: When interacting with your parrot, be gentle in your movements and tone of voice. Avoid sudden movements or loud noises that may frighten the parrot. If parrots are scared or upset, reassure them promptly so they feel safe.
- Respect the parrot: Respect the parrot’s personality and needs and don’t force them to do things they don’t want to do. If the parrot is not interested in a certain training programme or feels stressed, you can stop it temporarily and try other methods or programmes.
III. Use the right training methods
- Positive Reinforcement: Use positive reinforcement, i.e. reward the parrot promptly when it does the right behaviour. Rewards can be food, praise, petting or their favourite toys. This will help the parrot to understand which behaviours are encouraged and thus be more willing to repeat them.
- Step by step: Training should be gradual, starting with simple tasks and gradually increasing the difficulty. For example, train the parrot to recognise its own name first, then teach some simple words or actions. Don’t give your parrot too much demand at the beginning to avoid frustration.
- Repetition training: For each training programme, repeat the training several times to give the parrot a deeper impression. Training can be done at different times and in different environments to improve the parrot’s ability to adapt and learn.
- Diversified training: Use diversified training methods to avoid monotony. It can be combined with language training, action training, games, etc., so that the parrot can learn in a relaxed and pleasant atmosphere. For example, by playing hide-and-seek games to train the parrot’s ability to react and listen to instructions.
IV. Provide a good living environment
- Comfortable cage: Provide a comfortable and spacious cage for parrots so that they have enough space to move around and rest. Enough toys, perches and food and water containers should be placed inside the cage to meet the parrot’s living needs.
- Rich Diet: Provide a diverse range of food to ensure balanced nutrition for your parrot. In addition to regular parrot feed, you can add some fruits, vegetables, nuts and other foods to let the parrot taste different flavours.
- Proper Exercise: Let the parrots have enough exercise opportunities, you can release them out of the cage every day and let them move freely for a period of time in a safe environment. This not only helps the parrots’ physical health, but also improves their learning ability and motivation to receive training.
V. Maintain patience and perseverance
- Be Patient: Training parrots takes time and patience, don’t expect them to learn all the skills in a short period of time. Every parrot learns at a different rate and some may take days or even weeks to master a new skill. Be patient with your parrot’s progress and don’t rush it.
- Consistent training: Training should be consistent, not half-hearted. Don’t give up even if your parrot has some problems or progresses slowly during the training process. Keep going and keep adjusting the training methods until the parrot successfully masters the required skills.
